Why should I take my temperature?
Checking your body temperature with a thermometer is an easy way to check for a fever. Fever, which is an increase in body temperature, is usually caused by an infection. Although fevers can be uncomfortable, they are a sign that the body is fighting infection.
There are many different types of thermometers that you can use to measure temperature. When using any type of thermometer, be sure to read and follow the instructions that come with the thermometer. If your thermometer uses batteries, check them. You may notice that weak batteries give inconsistent readings.
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What is a normal body temperature?
Normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Celsius (°C). Normal temperature often varies by 1° to 2°F (½° to 1°C). A normal temperature is usually lowest in the morning and rises during the day. It reaches its peak in the late afternoon or early evening.
What temperature is considered a fever?
In adults, a fever is considered to be a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. You can treat this at home with fever-reducing medication and fluids to make yourself more comfortable or let it run its course. But if it reaches 102°F (38.8°C) or higher and home treatment doesn’t bring it down, call your health care provider.
Digital thermometer
A digital thermometer is the most accurate and fastest way to measure temperature. Digital thermometers are available at most drug stores and supermarket pharmacies. Depending on where you shop, a digital thermometer can cost between $6 and $20. Be sure to follow package directions while using any thermometer.
How to use a digital thermometer?
A digital thermometer can be used in three different ways. These include:
Oral: For this method, the thermometer is placed under the tongue. This method is used for adults and children over 4 years of age who can hold the thermometer in their mouth.
Rectal: For this method, the thermometer is gently inserted into the rectum. This is mainly done on babies, but can be used on children up to 3 years of age. You can take rectal temperatures in children older than 3 years, but it can be difficult to keep them as still as necessary.
Axillary: For this method, the thermometer is placed in the armpit for young children or adults whose temperature cannot be taken safely orally. This method is not as accurate as the oral or rectal method, but it can be used as a quick first check. You can follow this with an oral or rectal reading.
Other types of thermometers (young children and adults):
Tympanic (ear): This type of thermometer measures the temperature inside the ear by reading the infrared heat there. For best results, be sure to follow the instructions on the device on how to position the tip correctly. For babies and older children, ear thermometers may be quicker and easier to use. However, they are not recommended if your baby is three months old or younger. They should not be used if your child has too much earwax or has an earache.
temporal artery (forehead): Forehead thermometers are also used to measure temperature, but they may not be as reliable as digital thermometers and are usually more expensive. They are placed in the temporal artery of the forehead and measure the infrared heat that comes out of the head. forehead thermometer
What types of thermometers are not recommended?
Some thermometers are not recommended due to their inaccuracy.
- Plastic strip thermometers only measure skin temperature.
- Pacifier thermometers are not accurate and are difficult to use correctly because they have to remain in the child’s mouth long enough to register the temperature.
- Application thermometers for smartphones.
Is it okay to use my old mercury glass thermometer?
No, you should not use your old glass thermometer that contains mercury. These types of thermometers were found in almost every home and hospital around the same time before digital thermometers became available. Mercury thermometers were difficult to read and therefore did not always provide accurate information.
In fact, the WHO urged that they be definitively replaced worldwide.
The main reason they are no longer recommended is that the mercury can poison you. This can happen when glass breaks and mercury is released. If you still have one of these thermometers, you should contact your local waste department and find out how to properly dispose of your hazardous waste.
There are glass thermometers available that don’t use mercury, but most people prefer digital thermometers that don’t break.
How do I take the temperature with a thermometer?
Using a digital oral thermometer
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- Use a clean thermometer that has been washed in cold water, wiped with alcohol, and then rinsed to remove the alcohol.
- Do not eat or drink anything for at least five minutes before taking a temperature because the temperature of food or drink can cause the reading to be inaccurate. You must keep your mouth shut during this time.
- Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue.
- Keep the thermometer in the same place for about 40 seconds.
- The readings will continue to increase and the F (or C) symbol will flash during the measurement.
- Usually the thermometer will beep when the final reading is taken (usually about 30 seconds). If you track, record the temperature and time.
- Rinse the thermometer in cold water, clean it with alcohol and rinse it again.
- Using a digital rectal thermometer (for infants and children up to 3 years of age)
rectal thermometer
- Wash the rectal thermometer with soap and warm water. Do not use an oral thermometer.
- Put a small amount of lubricant (Vaseline or Vaseline®) on the sensor (tip) of the thermometer.
- Place your child on their stomach on your lap or table, with one palm on their back. Or lay them flat on their backs, with their legs drawn up toward their chest, and hold the backs of their thighs with one hand. Put a diaper or cloth under your child, as he may have a bowel movement immediately after removing the thermometer.
- With the other hand, gently insert the thermometer into the anus until the tip is completely inside the rectum. DO NOT force it if you feel resistance.
- Hold the thermometer steady with your hand until you hear the beep (about 30 seconds).
- Gently remove. Record temperature and time.
- Clean the thermometer thoroughly with soap and water. You may want to clean it again with rubbing alcohol, then rinse it again.
Use a digital axillary thermometer (same as oral)
- Remove the child’s shirt and place the tip of the thermometer in your child’s armpit. Make sure your child’s armpit is dry to get the most accurate reading.
- Keep the armpit thermometer in place by folding your child’s arm across his chest.
- The thermometer will beep when it finishes reading (this method may take more than 30 seconds).
- Remove and record temperature and time.
- Clean the thermometer with soap and water or alcohol, always rinsing as the last step.
Should I add a grade to the oral (under the tongue) and axillary (under the arm) readings?
Yes, for the greatest accuracy. Rectal temperatures are considered the most accurate indication of body temperature. Oral and axillary temperature readings are about ½° to 1°F (.3°C to .6°C) lower than rectal. Add these numbers to the oral and axillary temperature readings to get the most accurate reading.
- Use a tympanic thermometer (for adults and children over 2 years old)
- Gently pull back on the top of the ear to open the ear canal.
- Put the protective cover on the tip of the thermometer.
- Gently insert the thermometer until the ear canal is completely sealed.
- Press and hold the button for 1-2 seconds until you hear a beep (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
- Remove the thermometer, discard the lid, and record the temperature and time.
- Using a temporal artery thermometer
- Turn on the thermometer.
- Put the protective cap on the thermometer.
- Gently slide the thermometer across your forehead so that the infrared scanner can measure the temperature of the temporal artery.
- Record temperature and time.
- Remove the protective cover and discard it.
Note: Some newer forehead thermometers do not require covers because the thermometer does not need to touch the forehead. These products are placed near the forehead and can take a reading.
How often should I take my temperature?
Often one of the first questions a healthcare provider asks is whether you have taken the sick person’s temperature. You may decide to take medicine to reduce fever. If it does, there is usually a time frame in the instructions for when it is safe to take the medicine again. (This is usually a period of about four to six hours.) Before taking another dose, check your temperature or your child’s temperature to see if medication is really needed.
Nevertheless, if the first temperature is very high, you may decide to recheck the temperature on a more regular schedule, perhaps once or twice an hour. You may decide to recheck temperatures when medications don’t seem to be working, such as when the illness isn’t getting better and you still have symptoms. Your health care provider may recommend times to take your temperature, such as mornings and evenings. You must keep a record of these temperatures in order to report.
How should I clean and store my thermometer?
It is a good idea to keep the instructions that come with your thermometer so you can refer to them again with questions like this. Clean any thermometer before and after you use it. You can use soap and water or rubbing alcohol to clean the tips of digital thermometers. Then it should be rinsed with warm water.
If you are using a thermometer as a rectal thermometer, be sure to clean it thoroughly and label it. Store it so you can tell right away it is the rectal thermometer and not the oral or axillary thermometer.
Check the instructions, but the tips of the ears and forehead can be sprayed with alcohol. The lower part, the handles, can be cleaned with stronger disinfectants. However, please make sure to use water to clean the disinfectant so that it does not harm the handle or hands.
If your thermometer comes with a case to protect it, store your thermometer in the case.
Keep your thermometer (or thermometers) in a dry place that is easy to find and not subject to drastic changes in temperatures.
When should I call a health care specialist?
If you have questions about taking a temperature, call your doctor. They can give you advice on…